New Hall At Rotherham.

P . G . D ., of Leeds , assisted by the Officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge . Particularly interesting parts of the ceremony were the unlocking of the door of the Lodge Room , with a silver key , suitably inscribed , which Bro . Malcolm was pleased to accept as a memento of the occasion . A short address was delivered by

Bro . W . Watson P . P . G . W . and Hon . Librarian , on the " History and progress of the Phoenix Lodge . " A banquet was held after the ceremony , and was provided by Mr . Robert Turner , of Sheffield , and served in the large supper room , covers being laid for seventy . The toast list was short , and speeches were not numerous .

Bro . Ensor Drury was warmly received , and , on referring to the Masonic Charities , Bro . Blackburn , Vice-chairman of the West Yorkshire Charity Committee , provoked enthusiasm by his report of the splendid effort made by West Yorkshire in connection with the Centenary Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , the subscriptions from this one Province amounting to £ 5 , 000 .

Abuse Of The Ballot.

ABUSE OF THE BALLOT .

THIS is Bro . I . B . Merritt ' s opinion , taken from the " Trestle Board : " My Brethren , these things are no secret , to our shame be it said . We are most severely criticised by an intelligent profane , and his criticisms are deserved and just . By a singular perversion , that which was adopted and intended as a shield of

defence is turned into a weapon wherewith to strike cowardly , felon strokes from the safety of darkness . No words of mine can express the detestation and contempt which all good Masons should feel at such conduct . No number of degrees , no length of service , or official rank or station can make

a Mason of one who , by the unwarranted use of his so-called privilege , so contradicts all his professions and violates all his vows . For by the acts of such an one , Masonry , which is itself the glorious cause of political and religious freedom , which teaches the most rigid morality , which broadens the mind and

frees it from error and superstition ; Masonry which ought to make its every votary a better man , and which will do so if its teachings are followed ; Masonry , which is the truest religion , the purest politics , and the most profound philosophy ; Masonry , which is a duty to God and to fellow-man , is disgraced , dishonoured , and made a stumbling block and rock of offence .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents . All Letters must bear the name and address of the writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarentee of good faith . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications .

BOARD OF GENERAL PURPOSES . To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIB AND BROTHER , —I was one of the unsuccessful candidates at the election for the Board . of General Purposos at Grand Lodge on 1 st June , and should like to state through your columns that by some error the asterisk placed against the names of the members of the late Board in my case was omitted . This , as you must know , is a serious matter in the voting ,

as so many voters ( especially country Brethren ) not knowing any of the candidates , vote for members of the late Board . Some vote for the whole of the candidates who have the asterisk against their name . I used to do so myself , when I did not know who to go for . I consider its omission cost me my seat ; surely some one should have discovered the mistake , ere the voting cards were distributed .

I beg to return my sincere thanks to those Brethren who came long distances , and at some expense and trouble , to vote for me . Thanking you in anticipation for inserting this letter .

I am , Dear Sir and Brother , " Faithfully and fraternally yours , EDWIN STYLES P . M . and P . Z . 704 7 th June 1898 .

IN as many ways as the Continental Nations are indebted to us , we in turn have much to thank them for . They have made known many facts concerning science and chemistry which eventually have proved beneficial to the British . They are great chemists , and one of their latest achievements is the manufacture of a soap for reducing superfluous fat . This production they have named " Amiral Soap , " and it is made from the blended galls of

various animals , is highly perfumed , and when applied to the skin is absorbed through the pores , dissolving the fat . The inventors will not divulge the process of manufacture , but it is gratifying to know that " Amiral Soap " will shortly be introduced into this country , and all who would rid themselves of uncomfortable and unhealthy stoutness should make it a point at the earliest opportunity of securing a box of this valuable preparation , in order to test its merit , already vouched for by the Physicists of Europe .

Correspondence.

Special interest attached to the meeting of the Amity Lodge , No . 137 , held at Poole , on Wednesday , 1 st inst ., when the 500 th candidate was received into the Lodge , in the person of the Hon . F . J . N . Thesiger , son of Lord Chelmsford . Fuller details in regard to the meeting are given elsewhere in this issue .

In some old Scotch Lodge it was the practice to suspend for ninety-nine years Brethren guilty of unmasonic practice . This was one way to avoid the punishment of expulsion . 000 Egyptian Hall . —A new and admirable illusory sketch hag been introduced by Bro . Maskelyne at this popular place of entertainment , under the title of " Trapped by magic , " and shows the long sought culprit in a big

fraud overcome by the hypnotic influence of one of the detectives sent to arrest him . During the process he is raised , apparently without device , in mid-air , and there suspended . To show no galvanic battery or other means is used to sustain the prostrate body in this position , a large steel hoop is passed backward and forward , and made to enclose it in the circle described . Eventually the body is brought to earth again , and the handcuffs immediately

fitted on the wrists of the forger by the hypnotising detective , who , to effect his purpose , has assumed the guise of a Japanese juggler . The clever little farce , for such it is , is the work of Messrs . Maskelyne , is admirably performed , and should serve to astonish and entertain the many patrons of this old and reputed institution , which has additional attractions iu a new series of animated photographs , new magical problems by David Devant , delightful

musical sketches by Mel B . Spurr , and other pleasing features . The animated photographic views are accompanied by Brother Maskelyne ' s mechanical and automatic orchestra , which is a marvel of ingenuity ; while one of the funniest performances we have witnessed for some time was introduced in connection with this display . One of the scenes introduces us to a number of bathers diving off a platform into the water—which in itself is interesting , but , with the usual desire of Bro . Maskelyne and his staff at this

establishment , to show their patrons " how it is done , " the operator reverses the instrument , with the result that the divers appear , with a splash , out of the water , feet foremost , rise upside down on to the landing stage , and run backwards . The question naturally presents itself , where do they get their motive power ? and how do they manage to run back so rapidly ? It is worth while paying a visit GO Bro . Maskelyne if only to witness this—apparent —photographic absurdity , but there are a host of other items equally amusing and entertaining .

Bro . W . S . Penley and a selected company will start on a provincial tour early in August , in which Bro . Penley will play the part of Lord Markham in " A Little Bay of Sunshine , " a new comedy by Wilton Heriot and Mark Ambient , which was recently produced in Cornwall and Devon .

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